Munich Airport apologises after snow disruption leaves 600 passengers stranded overnight
Munich Airport has apologised after heavy snowfall disrupted operations on the night of February 19-20, 2026, leaving around 600 passengers on six aircraft unable to depart as scheduled.
In a statement issued by Flughafen München GmbH on February 23, the airport said winter services deployed all available resources but delays and cancellations still occurred due to severe weather conditions.
Passengers on six aircraft that were ready for takeoff were particularly affected after they were not granted permission to depart in the early hours of the morning. Five of the flights were operated by the Lufthansa Group and one by Air Arabia.
Night curfew and snow clearance impact operations
Between midnight and 5 a.m., Munich is subject to night flight regulations that allow departures only with individual approval from the Ministry of Transport. The airport said it obtained a special flight permit and, as an exception, sent aircraft onto the tarmac until 1 a.m. to support as many flights as possible.
However, heavy, wet snowfall led to longer de-icing times and required short-notice runway closures for snow clearance. As a result, the affected aircraft could not meet the 1 a.m. deadline and had to return unexpectedly.
Terminal capacity was already occupied by earlier cancelled flights parked during the day. The late-returning aircraft were therefore parked at remote positions.
Limited bus service overnight
The airport said bus services were severely restricted due to the late hour and communication problems. It added that passengers were not in danger at any time and that airlines provided care onboard the aircraft.
“We are aware that the situation on Thursday evening was difficult and hard to understand for passengers. We sincerely apologize to the passengers affected.
Between midnight and 5 a.m., Munich is subject to night flight regulations, which only allow flights with individual approval from the Ministry of Transport. In order to support as many flights as possible, a special flight permit was obtained and, as an exception, aircraft were sent onto the tarmac until 1 a.m.
A total of six flights with around 600 passengers were affected. Five of these were operated by the Lufthansa Group and one by Air Arabia.
However, due to the exceptional weather conditions, these aircraft had to turn back unexpectedly. This was due to heavy, wet snowfall leading to longer than average de-icing times and the need to close the runways at short notice for snow clearance. Consequently, the affected aircraft were unable to meet the 1 a.m. deadline.
The available terminal capacity was already occupied by canceled flights that had been parked during the day, which is why the late-returning aircraft had to be parked in remote positions.
Due to the late hour and communication problems, bus service was severely restricted. At no time were passengers in danger. The airlines provided the passengers with the best possible care on the aircraft.
Our top priority is always the safety and satisfaction of our passengers, and these incidents do not meet our standards. We are currently working with our partners to fully clarify the situation and implement immediate process improvements,” as per the official statement by the airport.
In a statement issued by Flughafen München GmbH on February 23, the airport said winter services deployed all available resources but delays and cancellations still occurred due to severe weather conditions.
Passengers on six aircraft that were ready for takeoff were particularly affected after they were not granted permission to depart in the early hours of the morning. Five of the flights were operated by the Lufthansa Group and one by Air Arabia.
Night curfew and snow clearance impact operations
Between midnight and 5 a.m., Munich is subject to night flight regulations that allow departures only with individual approval from the Ministry of Transport. The airport said it obtained a special flight permit and, as an exception, sent aircraft onto the tarmac until 1 a.m. to support as many flights as possible.
However, heavy, wet snowfall led to longer de-icing times and required short-notice runway closures for snow clearance. As a result, the affected aircraft could not meet the 1 a.m. deadline and had to return unexpectedly.
Terminal capacity was already occupied by earlier cancelled flights parked during the day. The late-returning aircraft were therefore parked at remote positions.
Limited bus service overnight
The airport said bus services were severely restricted due to the late hour and communication problems. It added that passengers were not in danger at any time and that airlines provided care onboard the aircraft.
“We are aware that the situation on Thursday evening was difficult and hard to understand for passengers. We sincerely apologize to the passengers affected.
Between midnight and 5 a.m., Munich is subject to night flight regulations, which only allow flights with individual approval from the Ministry of Transport. In order to support as many flights as possible, a special flight permit was obtained and, as an exception, aircraft were sent onto the tarmac until 1 a.m.
A total of six flights with around 600 passengers were affected. Five of these were operated by the Lufthansa Group and one by Air Arabia.
However, due to the exceptional weather conditions, these aircraft had to turn back unexpectedly. This was due to heavy, wet snowfall leading to longer than average de-icing times and the need to close the runways at short notice for snow clearance. Consequently, the affected aircraft were unable to meet the 1 a.m. deadline.
The available terminal capacity was already occupied by canceled flights that had been parked during the day, which is why the late-returning aircraft had to be parked in remote positions.
Due to the late hour and communication problems, bus service was severely restricted. At no time were passengers in danger. The airlines provided the passengers with the best possible care on the aircraft.
Our top priority is always the safety and satisfaction of our passengers, and these incidents do not meet our standards. We are currently working with our partners to fully clarify the situation and implement immediate process improvements,” as per the official statement by the airport.
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